Two figures plummeted through a transparent tube, their descent a dizzying blur of passing levels and fleeting glimpses of alien worlds.
"It really is slow," Xaltal finally said, his voice taut with frustration.
Beside him, Aymara flailed wildly, her clothes billowing around her as if possessed by a frenzied wind. "I hate thisss!" she screamed, her words elongating as she staggered through the air.
Floor falling, the former method of rapid vertical transportation within the Stem, is both simple and complex. At its core, it's activated by intention and speech.
They passed floor after floor, each one a unique microcosm. Buildings of different shapes and sizes flashed by at immense speeds, a kaleidoscope of architectural marvels compressed into fleeting instants.
Xaltal, noticing Aymara's distress, called out over the rush of air, "It's alright, we can't leave this tube!" He gestured to the transparent walls surrounding them, a contained pathway through the vertiginous depths of the Stem.
Aymara's eyes were wide with panic, her hair whipping about her face. "I know, but I hate the gush of wind!" she cried, her voice cracking with each word.
Sensing the need for urgency, Xaltal reached out and grasped Aymara's arm. He shifted his body into a streamlined position, cutting through the air like an arrow. "This'll take forever at this rate, and we don't have time," he said, his voice low and determined.
They accelerated, rushing through the tube with increased velocity. Xaltal's black and white attire made him look like a shooting star streaking through the empty darkness between each floor.
[Floor 1873] - The Heirs' Debate
The scene shifted abruptly, focusing on a different group of individuals far above Xaltal and Aymara's plummeting forms.
"Hmph! You all don't know the power of Shadow Blade," a young man boasted, addressing two other heirs standing before him. Their guides were nowhere to be seen, leaving the trio alone in a vast, sunlit grassland that stretched to the horizon.
Shadow Blade's eyes gleamed with mischief as he continued, "I can go—" His words hung in the air for a moment before he vanished, reappearing several meters away. "See!" he crowed, his cape fluttering dramatically behind him.
One of the other heirs, a stocky youth with long-cropped hair, rolled her eyes. "Look, man, I'd rather go play Rancord," she said, her tone dismissive.
The second heir, a lanky figure with piercing green eyes, made an exaggerated gagging motion. "Bro, what? That game's so bad," he retorted, gesturing with a thumbs-down.
Undeterred, Shadow Blade sprinted across the grassland, the lush blades bending beneath his feet. The mansion behind them loomed large, its architecture reminiscent of Anna's domain—a sprawling estate surrounded by verdant fields.
"You all wait! maybe i should just go hang out with Kai," Shadow Blade called over his shoulder, his voice carried by the gentle breeze.
The first heir smirked, then subtly pushed a patch of grass with his foot, causing it to rise slightly in Shadow Blade's path. As the running youth stumbled, both heirs burst into laughter.
"I'll forget about your egregious take because of that," the second heir chuckled, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.
Shadow Blade turned, his face flushed with embarrassment as he tried to disentangle his cape from his boots.
As he struggled, his gaze drifted upward, catching sight of two rapidly descending figures in the distance. "Huh, is that Aymara?" he muttered, squinting against the light of the floor.
Far below, Xaltal's voice carried faintly through the tube. "It's Erwin. Say hi, Aymara!"
"EIIIIIII!!!" Aymara's terrified response echoed back, her fear still palpable despite the increasing distance.
Shadow Blade's figure began to fade as Xaltal and Aymara continued their descent, the grasslands of Floor 1873 giving way to new vistas with each passing second.
Their speed increased significantly, and most inhabitants of the floors they passed caught only fleeting glimpses of black as Xaltal streaked by, a blur of motion in the transparent tube.
[Floor 1534]
As they plummeted past another level, Xaltal's eyes widened in recognition. "Why haven't I been here before?" he mused, taking in the sight of three enormous mansions, each positioned in one of the cardinal directions—west, north, and east.
The eastern mansion formed a breathtaking fusion of classical Chinese design and futuristic elements. Swooping eaves adorned with holographic dragons coexisted with walls of shimmering force fields.
In the courtyard of this awe-inspiring structure, two figures were engaged in an intense sparring session.
Leonitis, his muscles rippling beneath his fur, paused mid-instruction. "Yes, left, right—" he began, then stopped abruptly. His yellow, slit-pupiled eyes gleamed as they somehow caught sight of Xaltal in the few seconds he passed through the floor.
Mei-ling, wearing a new outfit that incorporated sleek armor plates, turned to follow Leonitis' gaze. "What?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion as she found nothing but empty air.
Leonitis' tail twitched nervously. "It was my vision..." he murmured, more to himself than to Mei-ling.
"Right," Mei-ling replied skeptically, shifting her stance to resume their workout.
As the floor receded from view, Xaltal's lips thinned into a grim line. "That one is trouble," he muttered, his grip on Aymara tightening as their speed continued to increase.
[Floor 760]
After what seemed like an eternity of freefall, Aymara's voice came weak and strained. "Are we there yet?" she asked, her earlier panic now replaced by exhaustion.
"Yes," Xaltal replied tersely, his eyes fixed on their approaching destination.
With practiced precision, Xaltal maneuvered them out of the large tube and into open air. They found themselves suspended high above their target: the mall.
"It really is huge," Xaltal breathed, taking in the immensity of the structure below them. "This is only my second time here."
The mall was a marvel of engineering and design, as large as two skyscrapers stacked atop each other. Its exterior was a shimmering facade of transparent materials, allowing natural light to permeate its many levels. The structure was divided into seven distinct sections, each one a labyrinthine complex of shops, entertainment venues, and public spaces.
Xaltal clung to the top of the mall's transparent roof, his eyes darting about as he searched for an entry point. Spotting a maintenance hatch, he adjusted his grip on Aymara. "Hold tight," he warned, before launching them both through the opening.
They landed in a service corridor, the sudden stillness a stark contrast to their whirlwind descent. Xaltal helped Aymara to her feet, steadying her as she swayed slightly.
"Welcome to the maze," Xaltal said with a wry smile. "They give out those phone-like guide devices at the entrance. Without them, people would be lost for days in here."
"Let's head there first," Aymara said, trying to regain composure.
As they made their way towards the main concourse, the vastness of the mall became even more apparent. Holographic signs flickered in mid-air, directing visitors to various attractions. Anti-gravity lifts whisked shoppers between levels, while robotic assistants glided silently along, ready to offer help to bewildered customers.
Amidst the bustle and spectacle, a solitary figure stood out from the crowd. Cloaked entirely in white, their form was hidden beneath voluminous robes. Only their hands were visible—old and frail, marked by the passage of countless years.